Voice of the people (letter).

Build More Transit

The first described temporary service reductions on the CTA Red Line caused by a fire. The second described CTA proposals to make permanent service reductions due to budget deficits.

The one-day service reduction on the Red Line caused a small fraction of the daily CTA riders to drive their cars on Monday instead. This resulted in massive traffic delays on Lake Shore Drive. If service was permanently reduced on the CTA, would that not cause a small fraction of regular riders to also choose driving instead of taking the train on a permanent basis? Increased drivers will inevitably result in increased travel times.

We need to recognize that the answer to traffic congestion is not more roads but more public transportation. People who drive to work benefit from public transportation just as people on the trains do. I am one of the unfortunate people for whom the CTA/RTA is not an option, and I must drive. But I am a firm supporter of public transportation for the selfish reason that it keeps other drivers off the road and eases traffic for me.

As an automobile driver, I would support a greater percentage of my gas tax money being shifted to maintaining and even expanding the CTA and RTA, rather than building new roads. Compare the costs and benefits of building an I-355 extension, for example, with building an additional CTA or RTA line. Which do you think will ease traffic congestion, and which will create more congestion? If I, as a tollway user, benefit from a new CTA or RTA line, why shouldn't I help pay for the new line?

Additional roads will never alleviate congestion in the Chicago area. Los Angeles tried that approach and has now abandoned it in favor of building subway lines.